Authority for removal of eyes in case or unclaimed bodies in hospital or prison.

(1) In the case of a dead body lying in a hospital or prison and not claimed by any of the near relatives of the deceased person, the authority for removal of the eye from the dead body which so remains unclaimed may be given, subject to the provisions of sub-section (2) in the prescribed form, by the person in charge, for the time being of the management of control of the hospital or prison, or by an employee of such hospital or prison, authorised in this behalf by the person in charge of the management or control thereof. (2) The authority referred to in sub-section (1) shall not be given except after the expiry of- (i) half an hour from the time of the death of the concerned person, in cases where no facility for cold storage of the dead body is available in the hospital or prison; or (ii) two hours from the time of the death of the concerned person, in cases where facility for cold storage of the dead body is available in the hospital or prison. (3) No authority shall be given under sub-section (1) if the person empowered to give such authority has reason to believe that any near relative of the deceased is likely to claim the dead body even though such near relative has not come forward to claim the body of the deceased within the time, specified in clause (i) or, as the case may be, clause (ii) of sub-section (2). Explanation- For the purposes of this section, "hospital" includes a nursing home medical or teaching institution for therapeutic purpose or other like institution.